If you are looking for somewhere unique to stay in Suffolk then you should definitely check out Blyth Rise Stays. They have a range of Lake Lodges and Wooden Igluhuts nestled in 10 acres of beautiful Suffolk countryside.
If you have already discovered Blyth Rise Stays, or are simply looking for places to ride around Laxfield in Suffolk then here are a few ideas.
Route 1: Framlingham, via Dennington
This route takes you to Framlingham, a lovely Suffolk market town and the place you’ll find Framlingham Castle (the ‘castle on the hill’ from the Ed Sheeran song of the same name) with a suggested stop in Dennington. There are two suggested stops in Dennington:
- The Neathouse is a great cafe where you can stop for coffee, homemade cake, a sandwich and if you are lucky a cheese scone.
- The Dennington Queen is a great example of a traditional Suffolk pub that serves great food and a range of local beers. Booking is recommended if you want to stop for a meal, but if you just fancy a drink they have a lovely decked area at the back where you can enjoy a drink overlooking the pond.
The route:
- Starting at Blyth Rise Stays (on Station Road in Laxfield) turn right out of the gate and head into Laxfield. Laxfield itself has a couple of pubs, the Kings Head (the Low House) and the Royal Oak.
- Take the first or second right, both are Framlingham Road.
- Then shortly afterwards take a left onto Mill Road
- As you head out of Laxfield you will come to the junction with Dennington Road. Take the right fork (which is almost straight ahead) at the junction onto Dennington Road.
- After about a mile you will come to junction, where you need to take the right turn toward Owls Green.
- About 0.5 miles later you will come to the junction with the B1116, and if you turn left the B1116 will take you all the way to Dennington. As you come into the village of Dennington you will pass the Primary School on your left, and just afterwards you will come to a junction where you turn left.
- Just after taking the left turn the Dennington Queen is set back on your left, before the Church. As you pass the pub stay left alongside the pub and you will see the Neathouse on your right. The journey to this point is about 4.5 miles, so a good point to stop for a break.
- To continue on to Framlingham you go past the Neathouse (with it on your right), passing Dennington Village Hall on your left as you leave the village, and then you stay on this road (the B1116) all the way to Framlingham. Framlingham is a really lively Suffolk market town with lots to see and do. Our highlights include:
- The Crown Inn is a lively hotel, restaurant and bar in the town square.
- Watson and Walpole is an excellent Italian restaurant that was rated very good in the 2023 Good Food Guide. Booking for a meal is recommended, but if you just fancy a drink they have recently opened an Italian Bar (Beviamo) just behind the restaurant.
- Framlingham Castle is an English Heritage property, built in the 12th Century. It is also the ‘castle on the hill‘ from the Ed Sheeran song of the same name. As well as visiting the castle why not take a walk around the Mere.
- Framlingham market. Market days are Wednesdays and Saturdays.
- The Dancing Goat cafe is a small local cafe serving coffee and cake.
- The Common Room cafe is another independent cafe that serves great, homemade food.
- The total distance from Blyth Rise Stays to Framlingham is just over 7 miles.
- To get back to Blyth Rise Stays you can reverse the route above, or you can leave Framlingham on the B1120 and go via Baddingham, taking Low Road out of Baddingham back to Laxfield. Just outside Framlingham on the B1120 you will pass Shawsgate Vineyard, one of East Anglia’s oldest commercial vineyards producing a range of White, Red and Rosé wines as well as Quality English Sparkling wines. This alternate route back is about 0.5 miles longer so about 7.5 miles in total.
The Neathouse, Dennington
Route 2: to Halesworth via Heveningham Hall
This route takes you east to another small Suffolk market town (Halesworth) and takes you on a picturesque route past the impressive Heveningham Hall, a Grade 1 listed building that was built in 1658.
The route:
- Starting at Blyth Rise Stays (on Station Road in Laxfield) turn right out of the gate and head into Laxfield.
- As you go through Laxfield follow the road round the sharp right as you get to the church and the Royal Oak, which becomes Vicarage Road.
- Follow the road for just over a mile (the road becomes Rowe’s Hill road) and turn left onto the B1117 to Ubbeston Green.
- Continue on the B1117 towards Walpole and after about 3 miles you will see Heveningham Hall on your right. The annual Heveningham Hall Country Show takes place in July and is well worth a visit.
- As you come into Walpole the B1117 bears right and then becomes Church Hill road and then Halesworth Road.
- Follow Halesworth Road out of Walpole and all the way to the town of Halesworth. Some places to visit in Halesworth include:
- Focus Organic, a shop offering a wide range of organic food, stocking some of the finest produce from Italy, Spain and local delights including cured meats, cheeses, olives, antipasti and many fresh sweet and savoury foods available to take away.
- The Angel Hotel and Bar, and Cleone’s Italian restaurant. The Angel offers a choice of bars, a light and airy courtyard and Cleone’s Italian Restaurant, featuring a range of carefully prepared, great value, authentic dishes.
- The total distance from Blyth Rise Stays to Halesworth, via Heveningham, is about 9 miles, so an 18 mile round trip if you ride back the way your came.
Options further afield:
If you are feeling energetic and want to do a few more miles then why not consider the following:
- Aldeburgh is a great seaside town and is only 19 miles from Blyth Rise Stays. See our page on things to do in Aldeburgh for more info
- Southwold and Walberswick are other popular seaside towns are about 17 miles from Blyth Rise Stays. See our page on things to do in Southwold for more details.